Bonds expected, Soriano surprise leaders in All-Star balloting

NEW YORK -- Texas Rangers second baseman Alfonso Soriano was the surprise leader in the first voting totals for next month's All-Star Game.

Soriano, a two-time All-Star traded to the Rangers by the New York Yankees in February for AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, has 729,949 votes, the commissioner's office said Tuesday.

Rodriguez, a seven-time All-Star shortstop who changed positions as a result to the trade, led AL third baseman at 558,880.

The Boston Red Sox's Nomar Garciaparra led AL shortstops at 412,742, even though he has been sidelined all season by an Achilles' tendon injury.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds had the second-highest vote total at 647,183.

The New York Mets' Mike Piazza, a 10-time All-Star, led NL catchers at 500,446 even though he is playing first base more often in recent weeks.

Also leading their positions in the AL are Detroit catcher Ivan Rodriguez (516,332), Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi (376,307), Boston outfielders Manny Ramirez (626,272) and Johnny Damon (360,755) and Anaheim Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero.

In the NL, other position leaders include St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols (449,708) and third baseman Scott Rolen (461,194), Houston second baseman Jeff Kent (500,876) and shortstop Adam Everett (302,310), Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa (586,479) and Cincinnati outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.

The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 13 in Houston.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved